We regulate health and care professionals in the UK and were set up to protect the public. We only register professionals who meet our standards for their training, professional skills and behaviour. We can take action against health professionals who fall below these standards. We can also prosecute those who pretend to be registered.

What does this mean for me?This means that professionals registered with us are genuine and meet national standards. This offers you protection if professionals fail to meet these standards. You can also check with us that a professional is registered.

You may see these health professions in an NHS clinic, privately, at home, in hospital or at school.

Our main functionsTo protect the public, we:

- set standards for registrants' education and training, professional skills, conduct, performance and ethics;